Deputy Transport Minister Ormsin Chivapruck said on Monday that the crash occurred at a grade crossing where the Department of Rural Roads had installed automatic barriers, but they were inoperative because the department had yet to deliver completed paperwork to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).

He ordered the department this week to activate 20 such completed barriers stalled by red tape across the country.

Police spokesman Detnarong Sutthicharnbancha said on Monday that an initial investigation found that loud music had been playing on the bus before it was hit by the train. Police would decide if the music made it impossible for the driver to hear the train or if reckless driving was involved, he said.

Following the recent accident with the train that collided with a tour bus, the Min of Public Health are going to improve public safety at railway intersections, shame the incident had to occur first.

Min of Public Health to improve public safety at railway intersections

The Ministry of Public Health has instructed all provinces to improve public safety at railway intersections, in a bid to reduce related accidents.

Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn revealed that the ministry is collaborating with several related agencies to prevent road accidents, following a recent incident where a train collided with a tour bus in Nakhon Pathom province.

All provinces are to compile a list of risk areas and improve safety for at least five areas per quarter year. Special attention will be given to railway intersections.

The ministry has also moved to improve data collection on injuries and deaths from road accidents, as well as emergency medical services. It has targeted a 21% reduction in traffic-related deaths.